The 8 Best Local Christmas Vacation Ideas

Whether your family tradition is to go on a winter trip every year or to stay home, these Christmas vacation ideas are sure to get you thinking about changing it up this year. 

You don’t need an extravagant international destination for a beautiful Christmas vacation. Save time and money and act sustainably by opting for a Christmas getaway not too far from you, or consider a staycation this season instead. No matter what you’re looking for, there are probably loads of options within your state. Pack the cider, hot chocolate, scarves, and boots, and grab your loved ones to get everybody into the Christmas spirit this year. Here are some incredible Christmas vacation ideas. 

Nature Inspired Christmas Vacation Ideas

Go camping or rent a cozy cabin in the woods for the perfect nature getaway this holiday season. Whether you’re looking for snow or sun, winter is one of the best times to check out beautiful state and national parks, as they’re typically much less crowded. If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded, and serene Christmas vacation idea, a trip out into nature and away from all the people might be perfect for you.

Check out some of the best national parks to visit in winter, or look into the state parks in your area. Many parks have loads of winter activities to offer, including skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and ice fishing. Down south, there are also many parks that are great to visit in winter to beat the heat. California’s Death Valley National Park and the many state parks in Florida and Texas, for example, offer beautiful sunny days for hiking, fishing, and picnicking, even in December. 

A Trip to the Beach

A beach trip may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to Christmas vacation ideas, but it may be exactly what you need. While you might not be able to go swimming, you can still enjoy the fresh air, local charm, beautiful landscapes, and natural attractions that beach towns have to offer. Even in the winter, it’s always nice to visit the closest coast or lake for a quick getaway.

If you have a favorite beach town you’ve never visited in the winter, try changing it up this year and get into the Christmas spirit on the beach. Go for your usual nature walks, picnics, and sunset viewings, and see how the town transforms for the holidays. 

Christmas Vacation Ideas: Village Escape

Not all Christmas vacation ideas require you to go very far – experience the magic of Christmas by checking out nearby festive towns and all of their traditions. If you’re sick of staying in your town every year, hop on the train or set up a carpool and see what the neighboring towns and cities have t offer. Some places go all out for Christmas. Here are a few of our recommendations. If you’re not close to any of these towns, ask around and look online to see what are the best towns to visit over Christmas in your area. 

1. Leavenworth, Washington: If you’re in Washington, check out Leavenworth, a charming Bavarian village surrounded by snowy mountains and full of ancient Christmas spirit. Leavenworth is a historic town with skiing, reindeer, festive markets, and old-fashioned caroling. There’s even a Christmas market, nutcracker museum, gingerbread factory, and a Christmas Lighting Festival in December.
2. Mackinac Island, Michigan: Known as Michigan’s winter wonderland, Mackinac Island is a tiny little town with just around 500 residents, which becomes bustling with visitors around Christmas. The crowds are well worth it, as the island offers cross-country skiing, sledding, bonfire cooking, cute local bars and restaurants, a giant Christmas bazaar, and an annual winter festival. Visit in late December and stay to celebrate New Year’s.
3. Woodstock, Vermont: Woodstock makes for a great Christmas vacation idea for anybody on the East Coast. This small town has historical buildings, museums, picturesque views, and the perfect amount of snow in December. The town offers delicious Christmas treats, carriage rides, Christmas movie nights, musical events, caroling, and more. Local shops sell maple syrup, butter, cheeses, marmalades, and festive souvenirs. There’s even a festival weekend in the second weekend of December with loads of Christmas events to get into the spirit.
4. McAdenville, North Carolina: Just outside of Charlotte is the small town known as Christmas Town, USA. McAdenville offers beautiful Christmas lights, festive music, museums, and cute local boutiques, bakeries, and restaurants. There’s even a Yule Log Ceremony, a Christmas parade, and a tree lighting ceremony. McAdenville is best explored on foot, so get your best walking shoes on, grab a hot chocolate and follow the signs. 

Have a Staycation

Sometimes, the coziest and nicest place to be is at home. If your family is always going on trips, maybe this is the year to change it up. Sometimes, the coziest and nicest place to be is at home. Stay in the comfort of your own town, where you have your closest friends and family and your favorite restaurants. Plus, you can save time and money while cutting down on your carbon footprint simply by treating yourself to your favorite vacation activities while staying home.

Here are some of our favorite staycation ideas to make the most of your plans. For Christmas, we recommend checking out nearby Christmas fairs, bazaars and parades, and local Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, as well as residential decorations. 

Read more:

• Renting a Christmas Tree: Is it More Sustainable?
• DIY: 8 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas for Friends and Family
• No-Bake Christmas Treats: Easy & Quick Recipe

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